A Life-Changing Diagnosis Leads to a New Career for One Student

Greg at the May 2012 NIU Law School Graduation.

Greg Anderson wasn't always confined to a wheelchair. In his early 20s, he was like many other young students. His dream was to be a history teacher, but in 1997 he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of multiple sclerosis. "I got through half of my student teaching and I knew I didn't have the energy to stand up in front of a classroom," Greg says.

By the time Greg had completed his bachelor's degree at a small Michigan liberal arts college, MS had left him a quadriplegic. He took some time to sort out his future and his medical condition.

Discrimination on the Job Serves as a Turning Point A temporary position with a telemarketer proved to be a life-changer, as his eyes were opened to a world of discrimination to those with disabilities. "Because of my disability, I needed my desk raised and they just never got around to fixing the situation," Greg says.

After leaving his job, he filed a lawsuit that was settled out of court. Ironically, Greg says, this "dead-end" pointed him in the next direction. "It introduced me to the law and the impact it can have."

Memorial Scholarship Helps Open the Door to Law School Desiring to be an advocate for others, Greg applied to NIU Law School in 2005. He says people, including his doctor, discouraged him from studying law because of his disabilities, but he was determined. With significant help from the E.J. Zeke Giorgi Memorial Scholarship for public service law students, Greg completed his law degree cum laude in May 2011.

There have been bumps along the way. Greg says that at one point the joystick on the wheelchair was broken and the only way to move it was from an auxiliary control in the back. "My fellow law students worked up a schedule to get me to classes," he says. "The community mindset of NIU College of Law and the generosity of family and friends, including Mr. Giorgi's daughter Barbara Vella, have been priceless elements to my endeavor," Greg says.

Recently Greg took the bar exam and is looking forward to being Gregory T. Anderson, Esquire. But even more important, he says he is looking forward to helping others in his new profession.

How Can You Help? Contact John Sentovich, 815-753-1344 or email sentovich@niu.edu or Judy Schneider, 815-753-1389 or email schneider@niu.edu to find out how you can help a student like Greg achieve an NIU education.

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A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Northern Illinois University a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

The official bequest language for Northern Illinois University is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Northern Illinois University Foundation (TAX ID # 36-6086819) [percentage of the estate or written amount or description of property] for wherever the need is greatest."

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

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Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the NIU Foundation as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to the NIU Foundation as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the NIU Foundation where you agree to make a gift to the NIU Foundation and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.